However, the growth in user numbers for high definition television was actually slower than a year ago - at 215,000 new subscribers - despite the BSkyB increasing its number of HD channels to 50.

The company is further broadening its product base, with on-demand television, a 3D television channel, live Masters Golf, and a new high definition channel showing popular US shows such as Mad Men.

The broadening uptake of the media company's product offering pushed the BSkyB's "average revenue per user" - an annualised measure - up to £514, from £469 a year ago

And it fed through into accelerating profits, with earnings per share up by a third to 9.7p, according to the company's preliminary estimates.

Takeover debate

BSkyB did not comment in its latest update on the takeover offer that has been made by its largest shareholder, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, which wants to buy the remaining 61% of BSkyB it does not own.

In June, News Corp told the board of BSkyB that it was prepared to pay 700p a share to take full control of the leading satellite broadcaster.

But several rival media groups jointly wrote to Business Secretary Vince Cable earlier this month, urging him to block Mr Murdoch's move, which they say could reduce diversity in the industry.

The signatories include the heads of the BBC and Channel 4, as well as chief executives of newspaper groups, including the Telegraph, the Mail, the Guardian and the Mirror.

News Corp says it has not finalised its plans - and points out its critics are also commercial rivals.

BSkyB's directors said the offer was £1 per share too low, but agreed to resume negotiations after regulatory hurdles have been cleared.